IPaq + Bluetooth vs XDA2

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Hi Australian,

I had the same problem and choose iPAQ4150. From my experiences, I can tell
you, that using a mobile via Bluetooth is not without problems.

Main reason for this is, that current mobiles do not have the full features
of Bluetooth specification implemented. And - as far as I could see - only
SonyEricsson and Nokia have Buetooth-enabled mobiles that you can use
seriously.

I use a SonyEricsson T68i. Because this one is about 1 year old, connecting
from iPAQ to T68i is more of an adventure (works, works not, works...). Only
if I manually activate Bluetooth-device-recognition on T68i, connection will
be made at once (although iPAQ and T68i are paired). I will have my T68i's
OS updated by a SE service partner, they told me that Bluetooth-profiles on
my device are very very outdated (there have been 8 upgardes since I bought
it). If this not works, I will have to change to SE T610 which does not show
these problems.

What I will not be able to do is using a Bluetooth-headset while my iPAQ is
connected to the T68i. Bluetooth-specification would allow for that
("scatternet"), but SE says, none of their devices has implemented it. So,
things like dialing from iPAQ and speaking via headset will not work, using
headset and reading/writing SMS on iPAQ will not work, being online via T68i
and using headset will not work.

All this should work out without problems on a smartphone because it does
not need any Bluetooth-connection to use the phone-features (dialing, DUN,
SMS) at all.

On the other hand, WLAN is very important for me and I know of no smartphone
that would have it included by now. You could maybe use a WLAN-card, but
then you might miss other stored information which is on the card you use as
normal storage.

Moreover, I bought the iPAQ bundled with a navigation system software and a
GPS-sender, so I can use iPAQ as a navigator in my car or even while walking
which I like very much indeed. I don't think any smartphone is offering this
feature at the moment.


Maybe, you could wait until there are smartphones on the market wich have
WLAN-support built in?

Regards
Rolf



"Australian" <nospam@bigpond.com.au> wrote in message
news 5oBv9qHEHA.3328@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> I am considering rolling out to work a mobile email solution for execs. My
> options are: 1. Ipaq plus GPRS connection via Bluetooth to mobile phone,
or
> 2. use an Imate (XDA2).
>
> Does anyone have any advice?
>
> My thoughts are:
>
> Option 1:
>
> Cheaper (Ipaq is half price of Imate) and everyone has a phone already
> Potentially more complex: having to set up Bluetooth remotely; problems
with
> Bluetooth connection
>
> Option 2:
>
> Simpler, no Bluetooth to set up
> but no WiFi
> More damage as people use Imates as phones (take to beach, pubs, camping,
> etc)
> More expensive, especially if people divert their mobiles to the Imate
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

"Australian" <nospam@bigpond.com.au> wrote in message
news 5oBv9qHEHA.3328@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> I am considering rolling out to work a mobile email solution for execs. My
> options are: 1. Ipaq plus GPRS connection via Bluetooth to mobile phone,
or
> 2. use an Imate (XDA2).
>
> Does anyone have any advice?
>
> My thoughts are:
>
> Option 1:
>
> Cheaper (Ipaq is half price of Imate) and everyone has a phone already
> Potentially more complex: having to set up Bluetooth remotely; problems
with
> Bluetooth connection
>
> Option 2:
>
> Simpler, no Bluetooth to set up
> but no WiFi
> More damage as people use Imates as phones (take to beach, pubs, camping,
> etc)
> More expensive, especially if people divert their mobiles to the Imate
>

I like the idea of a single device, but so far I've been using my h4150 with
my P800 to access the net over GPRS. I do have a i-mate Pocket PC Phone
Edition, but it's a shame what happened. On its first week here I dropped it
on the floor (carpet!) and it cracked the connector. I couldn't charge or
sync. Sent back to repair and was surprised to find out that some engineer
decided to attach the connector directly to the motherboard, without a
buffer to protect it. As a result, to replace this connector a new
motherboard is required. You may be used to NZ dollar, so here goes: brand
new: NZ$1800. Repair of motherboard: NZ$1100. You can then calculate how
much would cost for repairs if the conditions are too harsh. Mind you,
camping and pub is not that bad...

OTOH I've have other iPAQ models before and even my h4150 was dropped a
couple of times and never had a problem.

--
Mauricio Freitas
Handhelds, mobile: http://www.geekzone.co.nz
Bluetooth guides: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=449
Performance Centre (Pocket PC reviews):
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=2028

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.pocketpc (More info?)

Basically you will have to setup a pro and cons list and compare your
options.
You will also have to consider if you switch carriers in the future will
your devcies be supported, what is the end user Use/Unit lost ratio, TOC
and ROI considerations, tech support issues(say having to support an iPAQ
with multiple phones or just one brand of phone vs one device that can be
cloned and deployed enterprise wide)

Other things to consider is that a 2 device setup has a longer battery
life and people can choose to use each of the devices separately, however
if they loose one the cost of replacement is cheaper, but they also have
to have both devices present for connectivity.

An all in one solution is generally easier to deploy and train people on
and if you go with an iMate each unit gets a free hosted Exchange account,
which may help in mitigating the costs of your total deployment.

With both devices I recommend having a good backup image(preferrably
encrypted and password protected) on an external storage card incase
something BAD happens as well as making sure the device is secure with
hardset lockouts after a certain period of time passes or certain number
incorrect logons.

Also make sure you plan out in advance how want to roll out their access
to your network and email and make sure you run it through trial before
fully deploying to catch any hitches and problems before they become too
big. You could even to your own internal trial of both setups with the
same group of people if your budget allows for it.

Hope this helps...

--
Steven 'fyiguy' Hughes - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices
Boston Pocket PC
http://www.bostonpocketpc.com
--



Australian wrote:


> I am considering rolling out to work a mobile email solution for execs. My
> options are: 1. Ipaq plus GPRS connection via Bluetooth to mobile phone, or
> 2. use an Imate (XDA2).

> Does anyone have any advice?

> My thoughts are:

> Option 1:

> Cheaper (Ipaq is half price of Imate) and everyone has a phone already
> Potentially more complex: having to set up Bluetooth remotely; problems with
> Bluetooth connection

> Option 2:

> Simpler, no Bluetooth to set up
> but no WiFi
> More damage as people use Imates as phones (take to beach, pubs, camping,
> etc)
> More expensive, especially if people divert their mobiles to the Imate